Is Chocolate Good For You?

Recommend (0) Comments (0)

Science is just in its infancy in determining what types of antioxidants are needed and in what amounts. There are many claims of one product having a higher antioxidant number than another product, but how do we know? There are several types of scientific tests available to measure the quantity of antioxidants in a product. The main tests are known as the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity). These tests measure a given food’s antioxidant content. The values determined by these tests help scientist rate different products based on their antioxidant properties.

Cocoa has very high antioxidant levels in terms of ORAC. The FDA has recommended that we digest a minimum of 4000-5000 ORAC a day. There is no maximum amount, but it is important to remember that each antioxidant is different and works at different sites in the body and at different times. A wide variety of antioxidants are needed to meet the body’s need. Dark chocolate and the Açai-Berry contain numerous types of high-quality antioxidants in large amounts. Cocoa can provide an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber to meet the daily needs of our bodies.

It has been estimated that less than 1% of Americans get enough antioxidants a day to meet their needs. The consumption of fruits and vegetables is very low in our country. The oxidative stress we face daily needs to be countered with a high-quality functional food. Dark chocolate is a simple and very effective way of adding antioxidants to our diet.

Darker is better with any antioxidant food. Dark cocoa has a bitter taste because it is very high in antioxidants. Dark fruits like blueberries and Açai berries also have a very high antioxidant content.